DID YOU READ

One from the heart for Lee Daniels.

“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” is, in theory, the miserable story of the titular 300-pound teenage girl (Gabby Sidibe), who’s raped into having two children by her dad and abused by her mother (Mo’Nique) until she meets an inspirational teacher (Paula Patton) who changes her life. In practice, the New York Film Festival’s centerpiece film is a slickly effective melodrama — the kind of movie where a dream sequence of someone having her ear kissed inevitably means a dog’s actually licking it, but also a world where a little soul music and a few platitudes actually convey tremendous meaning.

Without a doubt, the film comes from a well-meaning place. After hearing director Lee Daniels speak with palpable sincerity, it’s almost impossible to credit him with bad faith. At the festival’s press conference, Daniels explained what resonated with him when he first read performance poet Sapphire’s novel: “When I was 11, there was a girl in my neighborhood who came to my home. She was seven-ish. It was in the afternoon, in broad daylight; she was naked, and she was bleeding, and she was crying. And she said, ‘My mommy’s gonna kill me.’ And I remember a feeling of nausea, anger and fear; I can’t describe the feeling I had. And looking at my mother, who was for the first time afraid. And I read the book, and I had the same feeling. I wanted to heal.”

As a producer, Daniels is responsible for “Monster’s Ball” and “The Woodsman,” among others, but he’s excited to get new audiences — which, given heavy-duty support from Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey, he almost certainly will. “You know, I did [those movies],” he explained, “and we won Cannes and the Academy Awards. My family and friends that I grew up with were not fans or even cared to see that work. So I wanted to do something that was very intimate to them and that they would connect to. I brought that world of what I know to be cinema into the world of the urban. I know that they’re hungry for this, and it’s a different type of thing that’s going on in cinema, and I’m proud that they we were able to marry the worlds and to show black art in a new way.”

Casting Precious was difficult, as finding 300-pound black actresses tends to be. The search was long, Daniels said that it was “400 girls later. We were having ‘Precious’ camps. I started calling ICM, saying ‘Do you have a 300 pound–‘ ‘No.’ We then moved on to the hood: Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Compton, Baltimore, Watts and stuff. I was going to cast a couple of girls, but they didn’t have the smarts Gabby has. When Gabby’s doing the red carpet stuff [dream sequences in which Precious imagines herself as an R&B celebrity], she’s not acting; that’s who she is. The other girls really were the character. Gabby was not the character. Gabby is a very intelligent girl, smarter than me.”

One of the odder moments in the film occurs when Precious and her mother — both basically illiterate at that point — are watching Vittorio De Sica’s “Two Women” on TV. “I love the film, and it was not in the book,” Daniels explained. “The argument on set was, ‘These women wouldn’t be watching ‘Two Women.’ ” I said, ‘Well, I am these two women, so shut up.’ ” It’s hard to argue with that kind of conviction.

The Best Of The Last

The end is near. In mere days Portlandia wraps up its final season, and oh what a season it’s been. Lucky for you, you can watch the entire season right now right here and on the IFC app, including this free episode courtesy of Subaru.

But now, let’s take a moment to look back at some of the new classics Fred and Carrie have so thoughtfully bestowed upon us. (We’ll be looking back through tear-blurred eyes, but you do you.)

Couples Dinner

It’s not that being single sucks, it’s that you suck if you’re single.

Cancel it!

A sketch for anyone who has cancelled more appointments than they’ve kept. Which is everyone.

Forgotten America

This one’s a “Serial” killer…everything both right and wrong about true crime podcasts.

Wedding Planners

The only bad wedding is a boring wedding.

Disaster Hut

It’s only the end of the world if your doomsday kit doesn’t include rosé.

Your Portlandia Personality Test

Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and thanks to IFC’s movie marathon all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can revel in classic ’80s films AND find inspiration for your last-minute gifts. Here are our recommendations, if you need a head start:

Musical Instrument

Great analog entertainment substitute when you refuse to give your kid the Nintendo Switch they’ve been drooling over.

Breakfast In Bed

Any significant other or child would appreciate these Uncle Buck-approved flapjacks. Just make sure you’re not stuck on clean up duty.

Cocktail Supplies

You’ll need them to get through the holidays.

Dance Lessons

So you can learn to shake-shake-shake (unless you know ghosts willing to lend a hand).

Comfy Clothes

With all the holiday meals, there may be some…embigenning.

Get even more great inspiration all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC, and remember…